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is not dear to me, and I shall lose the benefits of this and the next world by disobeying the commands of my Parents. Do not you know, that, it is better that my flesh should be digested in the belly of a devotee, than that I should be separated from Siva by worldly cares. Do not dissuade me in this manner, but re- turn to your abode." The ascetic accordingly returned. The mo- ther of the lad, then brought him home, and bathed and a- dorned him, and prepared to kill him, and told him that through their virtues, the Ascetic had asked them to offer their child, and that they had agreed to it. The lad replied that he was fortunate, and should thus obtain salvation. His mother counselled him then not to be afraid, but to repeat the prayer Nama sivaya, and the parents then cut off his head, and dressed his flesh as nine sorts of curry, reserving only the head — On presenting the dishes to the ascetic he flew into a pas- sion, because the head was not given, and being afraid of his ^t: curses, they produced it, when the ascetic desired them to dress that also. This being effected, he commanded them to partake of the meal along with him. Siriala hesitated to eat of his child, but the wife enforced his compliance, and they sat down on either hand of the Jan gam. The pretended Devotee then commanded them to send for their Son to dinner, and being a- fraid to avow that they had killed him, they stated he would presently come from school. The Ascetic refused to eat with- out him, and desired them to call the boy,with which they were forced to comply — on doing so, the boy to their great astonish- ment came out from an adjoining room with three golden cars. Then Siva appeared in his own shape, and carried the Parents -and son and the ancestors of Siriala to Kailas.
